Lillian – February 4th, 2019

Recently our thoughtful daughter, Cheryl, made an academic visit to Addis Ababa. She returned with a scarf for Lillian made by a group of women, former Wood Carriers, who had been given the opportunity to start a Weaving Collective. Also recently, Lily, our Parish Nurse at Yorkminster Park, gave Lillian a teddy bear, now named Willie. These two gifts are now Lillian's constant companions. She adores them...At the time of the visit by the Parish Nurse, Lily offered to read the 23rd Psalm. As she began, Lillian interrupted. A memory from 65 years ago returned to her through the deep, dark fog and frequent terrors of her dementia. A piece she had sung in the Elmwood choir so many years ago came back to her and she began: "The Lord is my shepherd", she sang in her now thin voice. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures..."